The state home department has granted permission to the prison department to install CCTV cameras of superior quality and body scanners in high security jails.
“We have been permitted to install 7,222 CCTV cameras in 60 jails in the state. In the first phase, we will install 2,745 cameras, costing Rs 12 crore, in Yerawada, Arthur Road, Taloja, Byculla, Kalyan, Thane, Amravati and Nagpur jails,” said additional director general (prisons) Amitabh Gupta.
In all, 945 and 800 CCTV cameras will be installed in Yerawada and Nagpur jails, respectively. Altogether 200 to 250 cameras will be installed in other jails. Gupta said, “We will also install four body scanners in the first phase in Yerawada, Arthur Road, Byculla, Taloja and Thane jails. The body scanners will help us to curb smuggling of narcotics, sim cards and mobile phones hidden by inmates.”
He said, “Frisking of inmates and use of metal detectors are not proving to be useful because prisoners find new ways to dodge it.”
